KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday as investors continued to accumulate blue-chip stocks in line with stronger performances across most regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.50 points to 1,724.90 from yesterday’s close of 1,720.40. The benchmark index opened 0.83 of a point higher at 1,721.23, and moved between 1,715.67 and 1,730.12 throughout the day. The broader market was positive with gainers outpacing losers 707 to 402, while 547 counters were unchanged, 1,085 untraded and 56 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.03 billion units valued at RM3.56 billion from 2.49 billion units valued at RM2.25 billion on Thursday.
Kevin Warsh could pursue an unconventional strategy to lower US interest rates , even as most Federal Reserve officials remain cautious due to persistent inflation. A Two-Pronged Policy Approach Warsh is expected to argue that shrinking the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet could justify cutting interest rates . The idea: Reduce the Fed’s balance sheet by US$1 trillion This acts like a 50 basis-point rate hike (tightening) Offset it with a 50 basis-point rate cut (easing) This effectively means tightening and easing simultaneously , but with the goal of bringing headline interest rates lower . Why the Balance Sheet Matters The Fed’s balance sheet — now over US$6 trillion — includes: US Treasuries Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) Holding these assets keeps long-term interest rates lower by supporting bond prices. Reducing the balance sheet would: Push yields higher (tightening effect) Allow room for r...